Box Score Erie, Pa. - Niagara men's hockey out shot Mercyhurst but ultimately fell 3-2 Friday night in Atlantic Hockey action.
The Purple Eagles fell to 10-20-1 overall, 7-15-1 AHA, while the Lakers improved to 5-23-3 overall and 5-15-3 in conference play.
Niagara wasted no time getting on the board scoring just 1:23 into the contest. Noah Hackett converted on a give and go situation with Nichoals Niemo to beat Lakers netminder Salvatore Evola to give the Purple Eagles a 1-0 advantage.
Mercyhurst answered later in the period, knotting up the game at the 10:03 mark when Ryan Coughlin capitalized with a Power-Play goal assisted by Dominik Bartecko.
Niagara went into the second period leading 11-10 in the shot category, while starting goaltender Deivs Rolovs made nine saves.
The Lakers took their first lead of the game 5:23 into the second frame when Bartecko beat Rolovs. Francesco Iasenza and Riley Fitzgerald were credited with assists on the play.
The Purple Eagles kept their onslaught of shots coming in the second, outshooting the Lakers 11-3 but could not solve Evola again.
Mercyhurst extended their lead to two 3:38 into the third period. Fitzgerald scored the Lakers' second Power-Play goal of the game, assisted by Jacob Leblanc.
Declan McDonnell cut the Mercyhurst lead in half with seven minutes remaining to give Niagara some hope late. McDonnell finished off a beautiful setup pass from Jacob Maillet to beat Evola.
The Purple Eagles once again outshot the Lakers in the final frame, this time 13-2 but could not complete the comeback falling 3-2.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 27-25-7 all-time against Mercyhurst
The Purple Eagles outshot the Lakers 35-15
Hackett found the back of the net for the second straight game and third time this month
McDonnell scored his first goal of the month of February
Up Next
Niagara wraps up the home and home with Mercyhurst Saturday February 21 at 7 pm inside Dwyer Arena.
